About this project

Saturday Morning RPG

$10,361

pledged of $6,000 goal

175

backers

GOAL UPDATE: We've set a new goal of $10,000 to try and reach by the end of the campaign. If we can reach that goal, we plan to buy the new iPad to optimize the game for the device's high resolution display. All the support so far is going to help us tremendously as we begin work on the game's third episode, which we are slating for release at the end of May. Any extra funding we can get will seriously make our lives easier. We really appreciate your help!

Please make sure to check out the updates tab to view 30+ days of unique updates!

Welcome Back to Saturday Morning Cartoons!

Saturday Morning RPG is a role-playing game with a fresh concept. It's not some complicated 40-hour epic, it doesn't have whiny androgynous characters, and it isn't stuck in some kind of cliche medieval or sci-fi setting. Saturday Morning RPG is an episodic role-playing game infused with a heavy dose of nostalgia featuring influences, parodies and references to all your favorite 1980's Saturday morning cartoons and pop culture icons!

In Saturday Morning RPG you play as Martin "Marty" Michael Hall, an average high school student, who has been miraculously granted the ability to channel magic out of everyday objects. This power was gifted to him on behalf of a mysterious benefactor known only as "The Wizard". The game takes you through various settings where you will explore and collect objects, which can then be unleashed in battle. When these objects are used in battle, a magic power rips forth from some key element of its aesthetic or nostalgic value. For example, if Marty uses a transforming robot action figure (we call them "Botchangers" for legal reasons, of course), that figure causes him to transform into a semi-truck and barrel through the enemies. Below you can see Marty in action with the "Sword of Unknowns", a collectible item from the game's first episode.

Why SMRPG is Different...

The game plays like a traditional turn-based Japanese RPG with influences from Paper Mario and Pokemon, but unlike the vast majority of games in the genre, SMRPG keeps players engaged even when they aren't attacking. This is done through an active defense system requiring player input at precise moments to block enemy attacks, which in turn replenishes Marty's magic. Player action is also required for certain attacks -- for example, Marty's "Joystick" object will sometimes require the player to actually play a classic game of video tennis. Most of the time, though, these specialized attacks will just have the player going through a quick mini-game.

These objects are stored in Marty's notebook (inspired by Mead's legendary Trapper Keeper notebooks), which is decorated with Scratch N' Sniff stickers that are also collected during Marty's journey through these different cartoon worlds. The player gets to choose what stickers to apply to their notebook which are then scratched (in a randomized order) immediately prior to battle for righteous power ups and/or enemy handicaps. Stickers range from common to ultra rare, so make sure to explore thoroughly to find the best stickers! You can also collect different notebook covers where the stickers are applied for permanent stat enhancements and add customization to your notebook with original retro art!

Get Some Ear Candy

Perhaps most awesomely, the game has a full soundtrack by composers Vince DiCola and Kenny Meriedeth.Vince was the composer on Rocky IV and Transformers: The Animated Movie while Kenny has been involved in the musical scores for over 200 popular cartoons and shows like Duck Tales, X-Men, Power Rangers, Full House, etc.

For those who aren't sure how awesome this all makes Saturday Morning RPG's soundtrack - look no further than this track. It's in Saturday Morning RPG!

Where to Find SMRPG

The game is being built in Unity to eventually be released across multiple platforms. PC, Mac, iOS, and Android are our current top priorities with the lead platform being the iOS touch devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod) with Android devices soon to follow. With the newest updates that are coming to Unity, we can even bring the game to you criminally neglected Linux users!

We're planning to start releasing the game with the delivery of "Episode 1", which will be completely free as an introduction to the series. "Episode 2" will be released simultaneously. We hope to release several episodes throughout 2012 as "Season 1".

On the topic of the episodes, each episode will last anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours in length. This will depend entirely on the player and how much of the optional content he/she pursues. The episodes are completely re-playable with a New Game+ option, and all statistics and items are fully transferable between episodes. On top of that, every episode can be played in any order. You can start playing on Episode 5, then play Episode 1, and then play Episode 8. It doesn't matter -- just like a real Saturday morning cartoon!

Why We Need Your Help!

We've been hard at work on the game for about a year now and we've exhausted our initial round of funding (which we received through the indie game incubator, Joystick Labs). We need you, the fine benefactors of Kickstarter, to help us finish the game. We don't need much (we're fine eating ramen), but we need to pay some bills. The more cash we can generate through your gracious donations, the more playable content and swift eye candy we can add to the earlier episodes of the game. Be a hero and help us bring this gaming gem into your loving hands!

Swag Giveaways to Awesome Donors

Here's a preview of the custom NES for top dollar contributors. Custom, flashy, and made just for you!

Here is what the poster print (available to anyone pledging $30 or more) will look like:

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THE BASIC PACK: Every pledge gets your name in the game's credits. Even a dollar will help us out and you deserve credit for that! You'll be credited as a bronze level supporter, which means your name will be in the credits but it will be a small font size.

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Pledge $10 or more
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THE TANGIBLE THANK YOU PACK: Handwritten postcard thanking you for your support. If we get enough of these, you can expect custom postcards. If not, you'll probably get some leftover Garfield Christmas postcards from several years ago. It doesn't mean we don't love you.

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Pledge $20 or more
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THE ADVANCED PACK: One Jackson earns you a premium spot in the credits and gold level supporter status. Bigger text, cooler font, and you'll get positioned before the other people. You can show your friends your name and pretend you worked on the game! Radical.

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Pledge $25 or more
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THE PREORDER PACK: $25 will earn you a copy of the full game with all future content updates (episodes and other such things) given to you for free. You can pick the platform, but keep in mind we're launching on iOS first! (PC, Android, Mac, and Linux following at undetermined times). Along with your preorder, you'll also receive the postcard and platinum level credit.

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Pledge $50 or more
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THE "NOSTALGIC TASTEBUDS" PACK: You'll get a pack of Fruit Stripe Gum autographed by core team members! This is the most expensive pack of gum you'll ever buy! (or not buy!) Anyone pledging higher than $50 will also receive this reward. You'll also receive any lower level rewards at this level.

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Pledge $100 or more
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THE LIMITED EDITION PACK: You'll receive a limited edition paperback book containing the game's design document as well as the name in credits, poster, and postcard. This will only be available through Kickstarter!

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Pledge $250 or more
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THE ADVANCED USELESS RELIC PACK: Get ready for some serious ear candy, because you'll be getting a limited edition cassette tape of the Saturday Morning RPG theme song recorded by Vince DiCola! No CDs or MP3s, we're pretty sure those weren't around in the 80's.

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Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

THE NOSTALGIA PACK: You'll receive a custom painted Saturday Morning RPG Nintendo Entertainment System. We will only be making two of these (one for the $1,500 reward and one for the $3,000 reward). Our whole team will also sign the console.

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Pledge $3,000 or more
About $3,000

THE VILLAIN PACK: We'll make you into a key villain in the game. You will then end up as one of the game's boss encounters. We'll work with you during every step of the design process to ensure that you become the coolest and most awesome villain in the whole game.

You'll also receive any previously listed rewards (we'll even put you in the credits three times!).